Saša Ilić (footballer, born 1977)

Saša Ilić

Ilić (right) with a fan in 2009
Personal information
Full name Saša Ilić
Date of birth (1977-12-30) 30 December 1977
Place of birth Požarevac, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Partizan
Number 22
Youth career
1986–1996 Partizan
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2005 Partizan 200 (98)
2004 → Celta (loan) 13 (1)
2005–2007 Galatasaray 59 (22)
2007–2010 Red Bull Salzburg 34 (8)
2009 → Larissa (loan) 17 (1)
2010– Partizan 185 (27)
National team
1997–1999 FR Yugoslavia U21[lower-alpha 1] 5 (1)
2000–2008 Serbia 37 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13 November 2016.


Saša Ilić (Serbian Cyrillic: Саша Илић; born 30 December 1977) is a Serbian professional footballer who is the captain of Partizan. He is an attacking midfielder, being well-known for his creativity and precision passing, as well as his goalscoring ability.

After spending more than 20 years at Partizan, both junior and senior teams, Ilić is the most capped player in the club's history with 792 appearances (official and friendlies). He won 13 trophies with the Black-Whites, 10 national championship titles and three national cups. Likewise, Ilić is Partizan's most capped player in European club competitions with 106 appearances.

Furthermore, Ilić played internationally for his country under three different names between 2000 and 2008, making a total of 37 caps to his name. He represented Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Partizan

Ilić made his competitive debut for Partizan on 26 October 1996, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 10–0 away victory over Borac Čačak, wearing the number 1 shirt.[1] That was his only appearance in the 1996–97 season, in which the club defend the championship title. In the following season, Ilić made his debut on the international scene, providing a late second-half assist to Dragan Isailović, in a 1–0 home win against Croatia Zagreb on 23 July 1997. However, they were eliminated after a shocking 0–5 loss at Maksimir. On 23 August 1997, Ilić scored his first goal for Partizan, in a 3–2 away win against Vojvodina. He made a total of 25 league appearances that season, scoring three goals.

In the summer of 1998, after the departure of Ivan Tomić to Roma, Ilić became the team's captain, being only 20 years old at the time. With the new role on the pitch, Ilić was instrumental in helping Partizan win a national championship after a year of absence. He also played some memorable matches in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, where Partizan were eliminated in the second round by Lazio, the eventual winner of the competition.

In the following years, Ilić established himself as a leader of the team and became an idol among the fans. He scored the winning goal in the national cup final in 2001, giving his team a 1–0 victory against arch-rivals at their ground.[2]

Ilić also led the club to the national championship titles in 2002 and 2003. In European competitions, Ilić finally managed to qualify with Partizan for the UEFA Champions League in the 2003–04 season, after eliminating Newcastle United in the last qualification round.[3]

In the 2004 winter transfer window, Ilić was loaned to Celta Vigo, on a six-month period with an option for a permanent deal.[4] He was joined by two compatriots, manager Radomir Antić and striker Savo Milošević.[5] Ilić made his debut on 8 February 2004, in a 2–1 home win against Villarreal. Later that month, Ilić scored the opening goal against Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu, however Celta would go on to lose the match 2–4.[6] However, after Celta got relegated from the Primera División, Ilić eventually left Vigo.

In the summer of 2004, Ilić returned to Partizan after a six-month loan spell at Celta Vigo, taking the captain's armband from Vladimir Ivić, who left the club that summer. His return coincided with comebacks of ex-Partizan captains, Dragan Ćirić and Ivan Tomić.[7] With experienced trio, Partizan played great football that season, winning the league with an unbeaten record.[8] They also progress to the round of 16 in the UEFA Cup, losing to the eventual champion CSKA Moscow.

Galatasaray

After a successful comeback season with Partizan, Ilić moved abroad for the second time, signing a three-year contract with Galatasaray in July 2005.[9] Upon joining Galatasaray, Ilić was offered the prestigious number 10 shirt, but he declined and chose to wear his traditional number 22. On 7 August 2005, he scored a brace on his Galatasaray and Süper Lig debut, in a 2–1 win over Konyaspor. With 12 goals scored, Ilić was the third highest goalscorer of the team in the 2005–06 season, helping the club to return the championship title to Ali Sami Yen after four years.

Ilić made an excellent start of the 2006–07 season by scoring five goals in first four league rounds. In the UEFA Champions League, Ilić was in form scoring goals against PSV and Liverpool,[10] with Galatasaray narrowly missed out on the UEFA Cup spot, finishing fourth in the group.

Red Bull Salzburg

Agreeing to the insistence of Red Bull Salzburg manager Lothar Matthäus (whom he knew from their time at Partizan), Ilić decided to join Salzburg.[11] He was officially transferred to Austrian side in June 2007, signing a three-year contract, with a €900,000 fee paid to Galatasaray. However, few days after his arrival, Matthäus was no longer coach at Salzburg.[12] He scored his first goal for the club on 8 August 2007, in a Champions League qualifier against Latvian side Ventspils.

In January 2009, Ilić signed with Larissa on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.[13] He scored his only goal for the club in the Superleague Greece playoffs against AEK Athens.

Upon his return to Salzburg, Ilić saw very infrequent opportunities to play for Red Bull, a first in his career. In September 2009, Ilić was suspended by the club's board because of the alleged betting against Salzburg in their UEFA Europa League game with Lazio.[14] However, Ilić dismissed the accusation of betting against his own team, but admitted to betting on the other matches.[15] His teammate and countryman, Đorđe Rakić was also involved, but there were no consequences for him.

Return to Partizan

On 22 January 2010, Ilić rejoined Partizan from Red Bull Salzburg on a free transfer, penning a two-and-a-half-year contract.[16] He was immediately assigned his old number 22 shirt and selected to be vice-captain to Mladen Krstajić by manager Goran Stevanović.[17] On 27 February 2010, Ilić made his official re-debut for the club against Borac Čačak, the same opponent and place as of his first match fourteen years earlier. He missed only one out of 15 league games and scored three goals in the second part of the 2009–10 season, as the club won their third consecutive title.

Ilić scored his first goal of the 2010–11 campaign in a Champions League qualifier against Finnish champions HJK, showing impressive glimpses of his old. He helped the club to progress to the group stage of the competition that season, first time after seven years, as well as to win a double. After Krstajić's retirement in the summer of 2011, Ilić became the captain for the third time, leading the team to another championship title at the end of that season.

In July 2012, Ilić signed a new contract with the club, on a one-year deal, to prolong his career until June 2013.[18] He earned a place in the 2012–13 SuperLiga Team of the Season, also helping his team win its sixth consecutive title. Ilić again signed a one-year contract extension in the summer of 2013, as well as in the summer of 2014.

On 22 May 2015, Ilić signed another one-year deal with Partizan.[19] He recorded his 100th appearance for the club in UEFA competitions on 29 July 2015, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 away draw with Steaua București.[20] In April 2016, Ilić scored two braces in two home league wins over Radnik Surdulica (3–2) and Mladost Lučani (4–0). He also played the full 90 minutes in the final of the 2015–16 Serbian Cup, as Partizan won the game 2–0.[21]

On 10 June 2016, Ilić extended his stay with Partizan for another year.[22]

International career

According to many fans and experts, Ilić was frequently overlooked when the national team was in question, especially missing out on qualifications for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2004. He finally became a regular for the national side during the period of Ilija Petković's tenure from 2003 to 2006.

Ilić was selected for the final 23-man squad that represented Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He managed to score a goal against Ivory Coast in a thrilling 3–2 match, eventually won by the opposition.[23]

In total, Ilić made 37 official appearances for the national team, scoring four goals. His last cap was on 6 September 2008, a 2–0 home win over Faroe Islands in a FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifier.

Satistics

As of 13 November 2016

Club

Club Season League Cup Super Cup Continental Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Partizan 1996–97 1000000010
1997–98 253950020368
1998–99 23147500613620
1999–00 32172100734121
2000–01 30194300443826
2001–02 28123000303412
2002–03 25112000823513
2003–04 1461000102258
Celta (loan) 2003–04 131000000131
Partizan 2004–05 221641001023619
Total 200983215005014282127
Galatasaray 2005–06 30124000003412
2006–07 29104010834213
Total 59228010837625
Red Bull Salzburg 2007–08 308000011319
2008–09 3000002151
Larissa (loan) 2008–09 171100000181
Red Bull Salzburg 2009–10 1010004060
Total 3481000724210
Partizan 2009–10 143100000153
2010–11 2515100121423
2011–12 254510060365
2012–13 2550000120375
2013–14 265200060345
2014–15 2735000110433
2015–16 286500080416
2016–17 140000010150
Total 184272320056126330
Career total 50715765171012120694194

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
FR Yugoslavia 200040
200120
200261
Serbia and Montenegro 200341
200430
200581
200621
Serbia 200630
200700
200850
Total374

International goals

Scores and results list Serbia's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 April 2002 Sartid Stadium, Smederevo  Lithuania 1–0 4–1 Friendly
2 10 September 2003 Red Star Stadium, Belgrade  Italy 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying
3 3 September 2005 Red Star Stadium, Belgrade  Lithuania 2–0 2–0 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying
4 21 June 2006 Allianz Arena, Munich  Ivory Coast 2–0 2–3 2006 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Club

Partizan
Galatasaray

Individual

Notes

  1. ↑ Only official UEFA matches included

References

  1. ↑ "Jedan je Ilić kapiten!" (in Serbian). mozzartsport.com. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Kup Partizanu" (in Serbian). glas-javnosti.rs. 9 May 2001. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "Newcastle pay Partizan penalty". uefa.com. 28 August 2003. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Celta in late for Ilic". uefa.com. 3 February 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "B92: Saša Ilić potpisao za Seltu!" (in Serbian). b92.net. 2 February 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Celta lets first-half lead slip away". espnfc.com. 29 February 2004. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Zvonko Varga ponovo u stručnom štabu" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 24 June 2004. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  8. ↑ "Crno-beli – šampioni bez poraza!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "Ilic goes to Galatasaray". uefa.com. 13 July 2005. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Galatasaray 3–2 Liverpool". bbc.co.uk. 5 December 2006. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  11. ↑ "Salzburg boosted by Ilić arrival". uefa.com. 9 June 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "Matthäus makes way at Salzburg". uefa.com. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  13. ↑ "Larissa sign Serbian ace". fifa.com. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  14. ↑ "Red Bull player 'placed bet on victory of opponents'". austriantimes.at. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Ilić suspendovan zbog klađenja" (in Serbian). rts.rs. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Ilić i zvanično Partizanov" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  17. ↑ "Krstajić kapiten, Ilić zamenik (VIDEO)" (in Serbian). mondo.rs. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "Ilić još godinu u Partizanu" (in Serbian). alo.rs. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Sa legendom do novih titula!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "Saša Ilić – 100. put u Evropi" (in Serbian). mondo.rs. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Kup je naš!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  22. ↑ "Saša Ilić produžio ugovor na još godinu dana!" (in Serbian). partizan.rs. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  23. ↑ "Ivory Coast 3–2 Serbia & Montenegro". bbc.co.uk. 21 June 2006. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
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